Chapter 9 - Nail Structure and Growth

Question 1

A normal, healthy nail:

a. is completely inflexible
b. has a spotted surface
c. is shiny
d. is white and opaque

Answer 1

c. is shiny

Question 2

The portion of the living skin on which the nail plate sits is called the:

a. nail bed
b. cuticle
c. matrix
d. ligament

Answer 2

a. nail bed

Question 3

The \_\_\_\_\_\_ is the whitish, half-moon shape at the base of the nail.
a.  sidewall
b.  lunula
c  root
d.  free edge

Answer 3

b. lunula

Question 4

The part of the nail plate that extends over the tip of the finger or toe is the:

a. free edge
b. matrix
c. bed epithelium
d. sidewall

Answer 4

a. free edge

Question 5

A _______ is a tough band of fibrous tissue that connects bones or holds an organ in place.

a. muscle
b. ligament
c. tendon
d. nerve

Answer 5

b. ligament

Question 6

The ______ is the fold of skin overlapping the side of the nail.

a. eponychium
b. hyponychium
c. nail groove
d. sidewall

Answer 6

d. sidewall

Question 7

After an injury, infection or disease, the natural nail will return to its healthy growth as long as the ______ is healthy and undamaged.

a. lateral nail fold
b. lunula
c. matrix
d. nail plate

Answer 7

c. matrix

Question 8

Replacement of the natural fingernail usually takes about:

a. 6-12 months
b. 4-6 months
c. 4-8 weeks
d. 2-8 months

Answer 8

b. 4-6 months

Question 9

The fingernail on the ________ typically grows the slowest.

a. thumb
b. middle finger
c. pinkie finger
d. index finger

Answer 9

a. thumb

Question 10

The nail has a water content between:

a. 10-15%
b. 1-5%
c. 20-45%
d. 15-25%

Answer 10

d. 15-25%

Question 11

The natural nail is an appendage of the:

a. dermis
b. epidermis
c. skin
d. skeleton

Answer 11

c. skin

Question 12

The appearance of the nails can reflect the general health of the:

a. body
b. skin
c. muscular system
d. skeletal system

Answer 12

a. body

Question 13

The _______ is relatively porous and will allow water to pass through.

a. nail bed
b. matrix
c. nail plate
d. eponychium

Answer 13

c. nail plate

Question 14

The matrix contains:

a. lymph and blood vessels
b. nerves, lymph and blood vessels
c. water and blood vessels
d. water, lymph and blood vessels

Answer 14

b. nerves, lymph and blood vessels

Question 15

Tissue that adheres directly to the natural nail plate but which can be easily removed with gently scraping is:

a. ligament
b. hyponychium
c. eponychium
d. cuticle

Answer 15

d. cuticle

Question 16

Cosmetologists are allowed to _______ the eponychium.

a. cut
b. trim
c. push back
d. file

Answer 16

c. push back

Question 17

Cuticle moisturizers, softeners and conditioners are not designed to treat the:

a. cuticle
b. nail plate
c. sidewalls
d. hyponychium

Answer 17

a. cuticle

Question 18

Toenails are thicker and harder than fingernails because the ____ of the toenail is longer than that of the fingernail.

a. nail bed
b. matrix
c. lunula
d. eponychium

Answer 18

b. matrix

Question 19

Unlike healthy hair, healthy nails are not ______ perodically.

a. cut
b. cleaned
c. shed
d. maintained

Answer 19

c. shed

Question 20

It takes about ________ for toenails to be fully replaced.

a. 3-6 months
b. 6-9 months
c. 9 months - 1 year
d. 1 year - 15 months

Answer 20

c. 9 months - 1 year

Question 21

The living skin at the base of the natural nail plate and the nail bed is the:

a. eponychium
b. hyponychium
c. cuticle
d. lunula

Answer 21

a. eponychium

Question 22

The slightly thickened layer of skin that lies between the fingertip and free edge of the natural nail plate is the:

a. epithelium
b. eponychium
c. sidewall
d. hyponychium

Answer 22

d. hyponychium

Question 23

The dead, colorless tissue attached to the natural nail plate is known as the:

a. nail bed
b. nail fold
c. nail groove
d. nail cuticle

Answer 23

d. nail cuticle

Question 24

The ___________ is the area where the nail plate cells are formed.

a. cuticle
b. lunula
c. matrix
d. free edge

Answer 24

c. matrix

Question 25

The thin layer of tissue between the nail plate and the nail bed is the:

a. bed eponychium
b. bed epithelium
c. lateral nail fold
d. onyx

Answer 25

b. bed epithelium

Question 26

The nail bed contains many nerves and is attached to the nail plate with a thin layer of tissue call the:

a. bed eponychium
b. bed lunula
c. nail mantle
d. bed epithelium

Answer 26

d. bed epithelium

Question 27

The water content of the natural nail directly affects the nails:

a. length
b. grooves
c. flexibility
d. color

Answer 27

c. flexibility

Question 28

The living skin at the base of the nail plate covering the matrix area is the:

a. eponychium
b. hyponychium
c. free edge
d. bed epithelium

Answer 28

a. eponychium

Question 29

The portion of living skin that supports the nail plate is:

a. nail root
b. nail bed
c. nail groove
d. nail matrix

Answer 29

b. nail bed

Question 30

The most visible and functional part of the nail unit is the:

a. nail bed
b. nail plate
c. nail grooves
d. nail mantle

Answer 30

b. nail plate

Question 31

The natural nail is part of what system?

a. muscular
b. integumentary
c. skeletal
d. protective

Answer 31

b. integumentary

Question 32

The tough band of fibrous tissue that connects bones or holds an organ in place is the:

a. bed epithelium
b. ligament
c. open muscle
d. nail tendon

Answer 32

b. ligament

Question 33

The nail plate of constructed of how many layers of nail cells?

a. 50
b. 75
c. 80
d. 100

Answer 33

d. 100

Question 34

The average rate of nail growth in the normal adult is about:

a. 1/10” per month
b. 1/4” per month
c. 1/8” per month
d. 1/2” per month

Answer 34

a. 1/10” per month

Question 35

Normal, healthy nails grow in a variety of shapes, depending upon the shape of the:

a. fingers
b. eponychium
c. matrix
d. free edge

Answer 35

c. matrix